Regular Meeting Minutes
Thursday, February 25, 2021 7:00 P.M.
Members In Attendance: Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. Alderman Simeon Profit Alderman Janice Fleming Alderman Leola Keys Alderman Wysinger Cleveland
The Town of Richwood met for a Regular Meeting held February 25, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. at the Richwood Multi-Purpose Center, 2710 Martin Luther King Drive, Richwood, Louisiana to consider the following business:
I. Meeting Called to Order by Mayor Gerald Brown at 7:05 p.m.
II. Prayer- was offered by Mayor Gerald Brown
III. Pledge of Allegiance – recited in unison.
IV. Roll Call- Mayor Gerald Brown called roll with the following results:
The record shall reflect all (5) Aldermen present.
Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. Alderman Simeon Profit Alderman Janice Fleming Alderman Leola Keys Alderman Wysinger Cleveland
V. Adoption of the Agenda :
Alderman Wysinger Cleveland- stated, Mayor I want to add something to the agenda tonight and I will continue to add it to the agenda because we have not accepted a Chief of Police and we have not accepted a CPA and also I would like to amend that we would take care of all of our finances concerning the liability of the Town. That means lawsuits and everything, that we need to take care of because there are still some lawsuits stuck in the Town and we need to take care of that; cause we cannot go forward paying salary after salary after salary. But my job as the Mayor and I want my Board to approve of this what I am doing; is that I am kind of tired and Mrs. Fleming said last week some Aldermen are not getting paid, and everything etcetera, etcetera, she opened up her mouth for that, so what I’m going to do I’m gonna make sure we approve tonight, all lawsuits and liabilities be paid for all lawsuits based on the Town of Richwood from back pay about 10 years apart because if not we’re gonna have to shut the Town down again, Mayor. Just hear me out because we got lawsuits out here and we need to settle this little old 20 to 30 thousand dollars, cause I know you came in and settled a lawsuit with your uncle a long time ago, right? right before I became an Alderman.
Mayor Gerald Brown- answered, no I did not.
Alderman Wysinger Cleveland- yes you did, you settled for $5,000.
Mayor Gerald Brown- stated, my uncle did not sue the Town of Richwood sir.
Alderman Janice Fleming- commented, it was not a lawsuit.
Alderman Wysinger Cleveland – yes, he did that Mayor we gonna have to settle this stuff right man nah, nah, nah… you got a mouthpiece that speak for you, now it’s at the point, I’m kind of tired I been trying to work with you.
Mayor Gerald Brown- asked, are you making a motion?
Alderman Wysinger Cleveland- I’m making a motion, it’s not about a motion, it’s about taking care of the Town business let’s clear these lawsuits out with Foster Construction.
Mayor Gerald Brown- asked, I’m just asking did you want to add something to tonight’s agenda?
Alderman Wysinger Cleveland- stated, that’s what I’m doing, so we gonna vote and settle these lawsuits out, right now before I go any further.
Mayor Gerald Brown- did you want to add something to tonight’s agenda?
Alderman Wysinger Cleveland- stated, no, hear me out, I’m talking, I think I was talking Mayor.
Mayor Gerald Brown- stated, I’m trying to figure out what you are talking about.
Alderman Wysinger Cleveland- replied nah, nah, nah, hear me out, I just stated Mayor, listen, we got to settle up these lawsuits before we go any further and spend any more money in this town okay; I just motioned and can I get a second that we set all these lawsuits out, every lawsuit that we have in Ouachita Parish Courthouse we gonna settle this out right now.
Mayor Gerald Brown- asked, is that your motion?
Alderman Wysinger Cleveland- replied, that’s one of the motions, can I get a second?
Alderman Leola Keys- replied, yeah, I’ll second it.
Mayor Gerald Brown- replied, I’m not sure what exactly …(was interrupted by Alderman Cleveland)
Alderman Wysinger Cleveland – stated, nah, nah Mayor did I say it loud enough? We got Foster Construction, we got Me and Mrs. Keys and Mrs. Margie Davis, we got a lawsuit against you and we gonna put this on the table tonight, we gonna put it on the table tonight, we got a motion.
Mayor Gerald Brown – indicated they would have to go into executive session.
Alderman Wysinger Cleveland- stated, nah, nah, nah I don’t want no Executive Session nothing, we gonna put it open in the meeting.
Mayor Gerald Brown- stated, no sir we are not.
Alderman Wysinger Cleveland – stated, I made a motion, I’m gonna make Mrs. Keys second it and its going to be voted on.
Mayor Gerald Brown- asked, You gonna make Mrs. Keys second it? Are you okay tonight?
Alderman Wysinger Cleveland – stated, Me and Mrs. Keys already seconded it … Are you okay?
Mayor Gerald Brown- responded, I’m fine.
Alderman Wysinger Cleveland- stated, Okay let’s take a motion, take a vote on it Mayor.
Mayor Gerald Brown- stated, I’m, I’m trying to see…. ( was interrupted by Alderman Cleveland)
Alderman Wysinger Cleveland- stated, hold up Mayor…
Mayor Gerald Brown- stated, these gentlemen and ladies don’t know what your motion is.
Alderman Wysinger Cleveland- stated, we gonna put on record that we gonna put on record tonight that we will take care of all our liabilities like Mr. Walker should have taken care of back in 2015, and we putting it back on the vote tonight before the Aldermen saying, hey look we want to make sure that everything before we go into the new transition that you are trying to present, and I’m with it, but we got to take care of our responsibilities first with these lawsuits before we can go forward, and I’m just gonna let you know what’s going on.
Mayor Gerald Brown- stated, what… ( interrupted by Alderman Cleveland)
Alderman Wysinger Cleveland- stated, so nah it’s not no but, but, but….Mrs. Keys…
Mayor Gerald Brown- stated, I’m saying what…
Alderman Wysinger Cleveland- stated, it’s over with, I made a motion to put all liabilities lawsuits to be taken care of before the next budget come up if not we amend this budget if so we will cut salaries in the budget as the Board of Aldermen. We will cut money, we will cut some employees, if we have to do it, we have to do it.
Mayor Gerald Brown- asked, what is taken care of?
Alderman Wysinger Cleveland –stated, nah Mayor, ugh ugh,, matter of fact its motioned, Mrs. Keys seconded it, it is over with.
Mayor Gerald Brown- stated, I guess I am trying to see how you want them to vote if they don’t understand what you are talking about?
Alderman Wysinger Cleveland- stated, we are trying to take care of our liabilities and lawsuits that’s on the Town.
Mayor Gerald Brown- asked, when you say take care of what do you mean?
Alderman Wysinger- stated, in other words we gone to pay our debts.
Mayor Gerald Brown- inquired, so you are saying whatever they say we owe, you saying pay them?
Alderman Wysinger Cleveland- stated, that’s right, we gonna pay our debts, no matter what’s going on.
Mayor Gerald Brown- stated, the matter has been motioned and properly seconded and then proceeded to request the vote.
Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. – stated, there is one I am familiar with and that is Foster Construction, Mr. Cleveland could you give us a few more names.
Alderman Wysinger Cleveland- stated, Chief Cliff Thomas, Foster Construction, lawsuit against the Town of Richwood by Alderwoman Keys, Alderwoman Margie Davis and Alderperson Profit and Cleveland; we got some lawsuits that already been filed in the courthouse and we are putting this on the record tonight that they will be paid, if not we gone have to amend this budget, we’ll cut some salaries, whatever we need to do, Mayor that’s what’s gotta be done, if not we got people up here doing no work and its no work and it’s no excuse that you should be paying all these salaries up here and they not doing there work. All I can say is in one week, you ain’t doing no work.
Mayor Gerald Brown- asked, Are you talking to me?
Alderman Wysinger Cleveland – stated, I’m just talking in general.
Mayor Gerald Brown – stated, cause you not doing no work.
Mayor Gerald Brown- stated, let me say this to you…
Alderman Wysinger Cleveland- stated, you sitting your butt up here wanting somebody to do your work for you.
Mayor Gerald Brown- Do you want to step outside?
Alderman Wysinger Cleveland- stated, that sound personal, that is personal this is business.
Alderman Wysinger Cleveland – stated, I’m putting this on the agenda, I’m putting this on the agenda.
Mayor Gerald Brown – stated, this is personal if you are telling me, I got somebody doing your work for you.
Alderman Janice Fleming- stated, he (Alderman Wysinger Cleveland) didn’t provide amounts or anything he is addressing me he said what he needed to say.
**** Break****
Attorney Jay Nolen- addressed the forum and attempted to fill in the forum of the basic meeting that occurred in connection with the vote to proceed with the Multi-Purpose Building which resulted in the Foster Construction lawsuit as being related to the construction of the Multi-Purpose Building ( during explanation was interrupted by Alderman Wysinger Cleveland.
Alderman Janice Fleming- advised the Board she would like to know the amounts and the causations for each one of those outstanding lawsuits in that I was not party to that, and I want to make sure my comments are in proper protocol; so I will need the amounts and all proper documentation.
Mayor Gerald Brown- inquired, if Alderman Fleming was requesting before any discussion on these issues?
Alderman Janice Fleming- stated, that is correct.
Alderman Wysinger Cleveland- stated, he would like to table that until Alderman Fleming could receive the requested information. I just saying lets just continue doing the right thing and go forward, I m tired of people saying Richwood don’t pay their bills. Its nothing personal with you and if I offended you I am big enough to apologize.
•The record shall reflect the Vote on Paying all lawsuits and liabilities has been tabled until proper information can be provided concerning the lawsuits and liabilities to the Board.
It was motioned by Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. and seconded by Alderman Leola Keys to amend the agenda to include a Discussion on the Appointment of a Police Chief.
•The Record shall reflect a vote was taken to amend the agenda and add as
IX. The Discussion on the Appointment of a Chief of Police
•The record shall reflect a vote was taken with the following results: (4) Yes and (1) No Vote to adopt the amend the agenda to include as X. The Discussion on the Appointment of a Police Chief to the agenda.
Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. Yes Alderman Simeon Profit No Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Leola Keys Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes
It was motioned by Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. and seconded by Alderman Leola Keys to amend the agenda to include a Discussion on the Appointment of a CPA.
•The record shall reflect a vote was taken with the following results: All (5) Aldermen voted yes to amend the agenda to include as number XI. Discussion on the Appointment of a CPA.
Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. Yes Alderman Simeon Profit No Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Leola Keys Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes
It was motioned by Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. and seconded by Alderman Janice Fleming to adopt tonight’s agenda with the amended items as stated .
•The record shall reflect a vote was taken with the following results: All (5) Aldermen voted Yes to adopt the Agenda with the Amended items.
Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. Yes Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Leola Keys Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes
VI.Adoption of January 21, 2021 Regular and January 28, 2021 Special Meeting Minutes
It was motioned by Alderman Wysinger Cleveland and seconded by Alderman Leola Keys to adopt the January 21, 2021 Regular Meeting Minutes.
•The record shall reflect a vote was taken with the following results: (4) Voted Yes and (1) Abstain vote on the adoption of the January 21, 2021 Regular Minutes.
Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. Abstain Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Leola Keys Yes Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Yes
Alderman Wysinger Cleveland- stated he had questions concerning the Special Meeting Minutes on January 28, 2021 and would like to table the vote on this until he can hear the recording.
It was motioned by Alderman Wysinger Cleveland and seconded by Alderman Janice Fleming to table the vote on the Adoption of January 28, 2021 Special Meeting Minutes until Alderman Cleveland can listen to the audio recording of the minutes.
VII. Adoption of Financial Reports
It was motioned by Alderman Wysinger Cleveland and seconded by Alderman Janice Fleming to adopt the Financial Reports as presented.
•The record shall reflect a vote was taken with the following results: (2) Yes Votes and (3) Abstain Votes
Alderman Wilbert Reed Jr. Abstain Alderman Simeon Profit Yes Alderman Janice Fleming Yes Alderman Leola Keys Abstain Alderman Wysinger Cleveland Abstain
VIII.Public Comments as they apply to the Agenda:
Alderman Wysinger Cleveland- stated there are some concerned citizens that have some questions pertaining to some things that are not on the agenda.
Public Attendee Mrs. Faye Lynch-: Questioned why are we continually being told it’s a process on the code enforcement issues?
Ms. Johnson ( Code Enforcement Officer) – advise that she has met with the judge and they are trying to get the Environmental Court setup and they can not do anything until Environmental Court is setup.
They are supposed to have court on March 17, 2021, they are working on it but it is a process.
The Public Attendee – requested access to the list of house.
Code Enforcer/ Ms. Johnson- advised the public Attendee she can see the list anytime 8:00 to 4:00 on Friday.
Alderman Wysinger Cleveland- questioned, as to what has happened to the $ 5,000 allocated for demolition of these houses.
Code Enforcer/ Ms. Johnson- advised the forum it has not reached that point yet.
Alderman Leola Keys- stated she understands we cannot go on private property cutting down trees and requested the Code Enforcer speak to Mrs. Sue Galloway about her property.
Code Enforce/ Ms. Johnson- stated she would speak to her.
IX.Mayor’s Dialogue
Mayor Gerald Brown- advised the forum there was a SWOT meeting held by the M5 Consultant firm here at this office earlier this month with several business leaders, land owners, educators and various organizations where we discussed our strengths, threats and it allowed us to strategize and build on our strengths.
Mayor Gerald Brown- stated, second thing wanted to remind everybody there is an election on March 20th and we have some things on our ballot, one is the Congress y’all know unfortunately Luke Letlow passed away and his congressional seat is on the ballot as well as the 2nd Court of Appeal Judge, those things are on the ballot; that’s on March 20th and Early Voting begins on March 6th through March 13th with exception of March 7th because it is on Sunday.
Early Voting is at the Registrar of Voting office from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ; Regular voting for us at the Richwood Middle School and that is from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
X.Discussion of Appointing a Police Chief
Alderman Wysinger Cleveland- stated with everything going on we need an Police Chief, we are trying to move forward and rebuild our Police Department; he appreciates the Chief stepping in when we needed someone
XI.Discussion of CPA
Alderman Wysinger Cleveland- stated, Mr. Walker is the one that should have taken care of our business way before you came. We need to get from the pass and go forward. You are the Mayor today.
Mr. Amaker( Public Attendee)- stated excuse me, excuse me…..
Alderman Wysinger Cleveland – stated, you are the Mayor for today …
Mr. Amaker ( Public Attendee)- stated, excuse me… excuse me
Alderman Wysinger Cleveland- stated, I think I’m speaking man , you’re just a citizen, you got to wait your turn. Nah, Nah, Nah, hold on sir, sir, sir just hold , first of all this is what I am saying how a meeting get out of hand this guy got no business, has no value to speak.. excuse me don’t have nothing to with it … nah, nah, nah hold up sir you disrespecting an elected official, nah, nah sir you don’t have no right to speak . Now if your want to speak I’ll draw myself from the meeting everything on the agenda we approved that .
*** Alderman Wysinger Cleveland leaves meeting at 8:03p.m.****
Mr. Amaker ( Public Attendee) – comments to the forum he has some possible people for the Police Department.
XII. Adjournment :
It was motioned by Alderman Wilbert Reed. Jr. and seconded by Alderman Simeon Profit to adjourn meeting @ 8:19 p.m.
